At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Air cargo plane crashed while attempting to land at Miami International Airport on September 6.
The Boeing 767-300 freighter, operated by 21 Air, had traveled from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the fatal incident near the Florida hub.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel confirmed the crash in a statement issued the same day. “We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today,” she said. “This is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details.”
Nantel emphasized the company’s immediate priorities. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened,” she continued. “Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We’re doing everything we can to support those affected.”
After the death toll was confirmed, Amazon issued a follow-up statement expressing grief. “We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” the company shared. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
The statement also noted operational specifics. “The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred,” Amazon added. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava addressed the tragedy at a press conference that evening. “At least five people have lost their lives, and five others are injured,” she told reporters. She noted that rescue teams had reached the crash site within “seconds” of the incident.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue detailed the extensive response in a Facebook post. More than 60 units and approximately 200 personnel were deployed to the scene, where they encountered an aircraft engulfed in flames with heavy smoke visible.
“Units arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of this crash, with heavy flames and smoke showing,” the department wrote. “Firefighters are working on extinguishing the fire and assessing patients.”
The rescue operation involved complex technical challenges. “Firefighters encountered a complex engine compartment fire and used foam from specialized airport firefighting units to extinguish the flames,” the department continued. “Crews conducted search and rescue operations, locating and assessing patients throughout the scene.”
One victim required specialized extraction. “One person was trapped under one of the involved vehicles and had to be extricated by specialized MDFR technical rescue personnel,” the post stated. “Specialized MDFR hazardous materials units safely shut down the aircraft’s engine and worked to mitigate a fuel leak.”
Chief Raied Jadallah, as reported, stated that the aircraft had collided with “multiple vehicles” on a road behind the airport. Three people were left in critical condition and hospitalized following the impact.
The airport’s official statement indicated the aircraft had “overrun the runway,” though the precise cause remained undetermined pending investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. A runway overrun, also termed a “runway excursion” according to aviation safety database SKYbrary, occurs when an aircraft travels beyond the runway’s end during either takeoff or landing operations.
The aviation safety resource defines the phenomenon as occurring “in event when an aircraft passes beyond the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff or landing operation,” with the overrun distance measured as “the longitudinal distance traveled beyond the departure end of the runway.”
The FAA and NTSB have launched investigations into the crash.